BOUND IN MARRIAGE - CHAPTER 17

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CHAPTER 17

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In the evening, Tan Ting finished reading the official reports that came from the capital.

These reports contained information about various matters concerning the court, including appointments and assignments of officials. Even those who were not currently in service or were left idle at home could stay informed about court affairs by reading these reports. After skimming through them briefly, he glanced at the sky outside.

It wasn't too late yet. On previous days, he might have continued practicing calligraphy or reading for a while before returning when it was time to sleep. However, today, after a brief consideration, he returned to the main courtyard early.

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As he entered the main courtyard, he noticed that the lights in the main chamber were completely off. He paused for a moment and then asked two little maids playing in the corner of the courtyard, "Has Madam gone to sleep?"

It wasn't yet the time for her to be asleep.

The maids shook their heads, "Master, Madam hasn't gone to sleep, and she's not in the room."

Tan Ting relaxed slightly. If she had gone to sleep early, he wouldn't have known how to say what he wanted to say to her.

He entered the room and sat down at the writing desk, flipping through a book. He also asked Zheng Ji to bring him a letter from Li Chengyun and left it in the main chamber to reply later.

Li Chengyun was the third son of the Li family in Huaining, and he was Tan Ting's old friend from the same year. In his letter, Li Chengyun mentioned something obscure.

Two years ago, during the Crown Prince's tour, he encountered a Daoist priest from somewhere. This Daoist priest had exceptional knowledge and gained the prince's favor. After returning to the capital, he was summoned to the Eastern Palace to accompany the prince.

During that time, there were murmurs within the court, but as this dynasty highly regarded Daoism, it was not uncommon for Daoist priests to appear in the palace. However, this particular priest had more in mind than just seeking the Dao; he had become involved in significant court matters.

Especially this autumn, the Daoist priest even instigated the prince to investigate a case of cheating in the Jiangxi imperial examination from many years ago. This was a settled old case, and the court believed there was nothing more to investigate. Despite some minor criticisms, it wasn't worth the effort.

Unexpectedly, this Daoist priest managed to convince the prince, and the prince ordered the Ministry of Justice to reopen the case. After two months of investigation, nothing substantial was found.

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Tan Ting hadn't paid much attention to these matters initially, but in the past couple of days, he had received letters from friends in the capital discussing this issue. They mentioned that the prince was now convinced by the Daoist's words, and he wasn't satisfied with the lack of findings. As a result, he even dispatched officials from the Eastern Palace to investigate personally.

Coincidentally, after those officials left, the Daoist priest seemed to disappear for a while.

Li Chengyun didn't speculate much but expressed concern about potential turmoil in the court after the New Year.

Tan Ting read the letter and couldn't help but cast a glance in the direction of the capital.

In the current reign, the Emperor's health was in decline, and he had been less involved in court affairs. Most matters were gradually entrusted to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had a very gentle and respectful nature, and he was skilled in listening to others' opinions. In the past, the court praised these qualities as signs of a benevolent ruler, but now, with the Crown Prince's trust in that Daoist, it was likely that he would surpass even the court officials in influence. Throughout history, this had rarely been a good sign.

However, nobody knew the origin of this Daoist. Tan Ting shook his head and sighed softly. Regaining his focus, he looked outside for a moment, but there were no signs of anyone returning to the courtyard.

Tan Ting could only pick up a book and try to read, but as the night grew deeper, the courtyard became increasingly quiet, and even the sound of footsteps was scarce. The cold wind rustled the icicles hanging from the eaves, creating a clinking sound against the windows.

Tan Ting found it difficult to concentrate on his book, and he kept glancing outside. At this time of night, there shouldn't be much happening in the family or the clan; everyone should be resting, right?

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He looked outside again, paused for a moment, and then called for someone to come.

"Where is Madam currently instructing matters?"

It was the same young maid who had been playing earlier, appearing to be around eight or nine years old.

"Master, Madam hasn't given any instructions."

Tan Ting raised an eyebrow, and the maid quickly added, "Madam is in Mistress Qiao's room, carving a stone."

Carving a stone in Qiao Xing's room...

Her seal-carving tools and jade stones were all stored in Qiao Xing's room. Was she consistently carving there, or had she moved there only after he returned home?

"Does Madam often carve stones in Qiao Xing's room?"

The maid shook her head. "Previously, Madam used to carve stones in the main chamber."

With that, Tan Ting fell silent for a moment. Indeed, she was avoiding him by going there.

The night had grown late, the wind had become colder, and Tan Ting looked in the direction of the back room.

"Go and bring Madam back to the room."

As the young maid left, Tan Ting's focus continued to waver while he leisurely flipped through the book. He turned several pages, but he couldn't recall what he had just read.

Finally, footsteps sounded outside the door, and the curtain moved slightly as she walked in.

Once inside, she glanced at him, seemingly inquiring about the reason he had summoned her back.

Tan Ting didn't give any instructions; he just looked at what she was holding. She had returned, but she hadn't brought her seal-carving tools.

Tan Ting found himself at a loss for words. She looked at him for a while, not hearing his response but waiting until the sound of the night drum.

She seemed to understand, then ordered a maid to prepare hot water, and only then did she speak.

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"Does Master wish to freshen up?"

Tan Ting made a sound of agreement. Seeing that she was about to come and assist him again, he spoke up.

"I'll manage on my own."

She nodded calmly, sitting down at the dressing table and removing her hairpins and earrings. She didn't have many ornaments to remove. She only took off her silver hairpin and earrings, placing them in a box where she kept her belongings.

Tan Ting's gaze subtly shifted towards the box, taking in its contents. The box wasn't large, and it had several compartments. However, most of them were empty, save for a few unimpressive pieces of silver jewelry at the front.

She paid no attention to his gaze and proceeded to wash herself after he had finished. The room remained as silent as usual. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching as Tan Ting put down his book. She then extinguished the candle and lay down under the covers.

Now, there were only two people in the room, lying side by side on the same intricately carved bed. The moonlight was faint, and the room, with the extinguished candle in the canopy, was dim. Tan Ting silently glanced at the person beside him. Regardless of the fact that she didn't speak or show any expression, it didn't mean that she held no grievances in her heart. He truly owed her an explanation.

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Tan Ting had already decided how to broach the topic and what he would say. He had decided that even if she didn't bring it up, he would offer her an explanation and make amends to her and the Xiang family. He hoped this would ease the unease in her heart.

However, just as he was about to speak, he noticed the breathing of the person beside him. Her breathing grew deeper and more even, gradually becoming slow and drawn-out.

The words that Tan Ting had prepared to say were instantly silenced on his lips. She had fallen asleep. Only someone who was extremely exhausted could fall asleep so quickly.

The moonlight became even thinner, fading away into nothingness. Tan Ting remained silent for a long time. He finally gave her one last glance and gently adjusted the covers that covered both of them. The words he hadn't managed to say found no opportunity to escape his lips.

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…..

Early the next morning, after paying respects to the Old Madam in the Autumn Radiance Courtyard, Xiang Yi headed to the Flower Hall to attend to her duties. Before leaving, she merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment to Tan Ting, without saying a word.

In the past, Tan Ting hadn't paid much attention to it, merely feeling that he had nothing to say to his wife. Now, it seemed that she also had no intention of speaking to him.

As Xiang Yi walked away, her slightly fragile figure lingered in Tan Ting's sight. He couldn't help but recall the incident with the fur merchandise from the Yanzhi Leather Emporium.

That must have been a misunderstanding as well.

Sighing, Tan Ting realized that he had spoken harshly back then, but he had also allowed her to fetch the leather from the storehouse. He doubted she would have taken the best pieces.

So, he decided to call in the steward of the storehouse.

"Which piece did Madam take last time? Are there any better quality furs left in the storehouse?"

The steward was taken aback by the sudden question from the Master. He meticulously reported the four finest furs and over twenty regular ones that remained in the storehouse.

"But Madam... has never come to the storehouse for furs," the steward said, puzzled.

As his words hung in the air, Tan Ting fell silent. He should have realized...

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The steward, unaware of Tan Ting's thoughts, continued, "Madam rarely visits the storehouse. Whenever she does, it's for official matters, and there are detailed records of what she takes or deposits."

The steward then inquired, "Should I bring the account books for your review? I can move them over..."

Before the steward could finish his sentence, Tan Ting interrupted, "No need."

Rubbing his forehead with frustration, Tan Ting remembered something else and instructed, "Don't mention to Madam that I asked about the storehouse."

It was rare for the Master to speak so much. The steward left, seemingly understanding but also somewhat puzzled by these instructions.

Tan Ting rubbed his forehead several times, his mind inexplicably recalling what Qiao Xing had said back at the Autumn Radiance Courtyard.

"Madam would never embezzle or take bribes, nor has she touched a single thing belonging to the Tan family!"

Three years after she had entered the family, she had been completely distant from the Tan family, from him, her husband. She was not what he had mistakenly thought. Instead, she was as pure as a mountain stream, without a speck of dust.

With these thoughts in mind, he called Zheng Ji over and gave him a few instructions.

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……

As usual, Xiang Yi went to the Flower Hall to manage household and family affairs. Today, the servants were surprisingly accommodating, and Xiang Yi finished dealing with trivial matters quickly before returning to the main courtyard.

However, on her way back, she unexpectedly ran into Tan Jian and Yang Zhen.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, let's go out and have some fun!" Yang Zhen enthusiastically invited Xiang Yi.

Xiang Yi was momentarily taken aback. "Go out and have fun?"

Since marrying into the Tan family, she had been busy with household affairs. She hadn't found the time, nor had anyone invited her to go out for leisure.

Tan Jian quickly explained that a theater troupe had come to the main street with a playhouse, performing the popular plays of recent years. He wanted to take Yang Zhen to see it. Yang Zhen nodded eagerly, "Staying at home every day is so boring. It's too cold to ride a horse with this weather. Finally, there's an interesting theater troupe in town. Eldest Sister-in-law, please join us. I'll reserve the best seats for us!"

Yang Zhen truly had a lively and spirited personality. Xiang Yi couldn't help but smile.

However, she didn't have the leisure or elegance for such activities, nor did she have the time. Just as she was about to decline with a polite refusal, someone spoke up from behind her.

"Why not go out for a stroll?"

Startled, Xiang Yi turned around to see the man behind her. He had suddenly appeared less than half a step away from her. He shielded her from the rushing cold wind, but his presence seemed to permeate the air around her.

Uncomfortably, Xiang Yi stepped back to create some distance between them. The weather was so cold, and the wind carried the chill of ice and snow.

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As Tan Ting approached, he noticed that unlike Tan Jian and Yang Zhen, Xiang Yi wasn't wearing a fur-trimmed coat. Her slender neck was partially exposed beneath the thin collar of her clothing, and her fine hair flowed around her neck as the wind blew.

Both Tan Jian and Yang Zhen greeted him, bowing in respect. Xiang Yi turned her body as well. However, as she turned, she took two steps to the side, creating a larger gap between them once again.

Without glancing at him, she bowed her head in greeting. The increased distance between them went unnoticed by everyone else but themselves.

Silently, Tan Ting stole another look at her. At this point, his brother and sister-in-law gently tugged at her, urging, "Big brother has agreed. Sister-in-law, come with us quickly."

However, instead of immediately responding, Xiangyi looked at him with a serious expression, her eyes filled with confusion.

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